Sign Up and Save

The Nittany Lions are scrimmaging Saturday and practicing four more times next week. The Blue-White serves as the final spring practice.

“There are 85,000 people in the stands and I’m not sure who all those 85,000 people are,” O’Brien said. “I wouldn’t expect us to show a whole lot, but we will show up and play hard.”

O’Brien, the New England Patriots offensive coordinator last season, has overhauled the Nittany Lions’ offense this spring. O’Brien said the running game is ahead of the passing game at this point. The offense returns 1,000-yard rusher Silas Redd.

“I’m pretty pleased with where the running game is and pleased with the offensive line and the blocking of those guys and the tight ends and the running of the backs,” O’Brien said. “I think Silas Redd, obviously, is the top back coming back and he’s had a really good spring. He’s a great kid to be around.”

In other news, O’Brien said linebacker Khairi Fortt has missed time with a “banged-up” knee. O’Brien said Fortt’s status for the Blue-White will be determined next week.

Wide receiver Devon Smith has already been ruled out of next week’s game because of a foot sprain.